TOPGUN: The Legacy
The Complete History of TOPGUN and Its Impact on Tactical Aviation
By Schiffer Military History | Publisher: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
About the book
The exclusive and definitive look at the 50-year history of the Navy Fighter Weapons School.
The history of air combat has seen one recurring theme—new tactics are learned in battle, forgotten or discarded when battle concludes, and relearned at great cost during the next war. This cycle continued into the 1960s, when America was drawn into the Vietnam War. Despite having a skill and equipment advantage, US Navy aircrews were faring poorly against North Vietnamese fighters. Air combat lessons learned during prior wars, and since forgotten or deemed inapplicable due to advances in technology, were once again relevant. TOPGUN, the Navy's Fighter Weapons School, was established in 1968 to teach Navy aircrews the core air combat tactics, to train others in those tactics, and to ensure that naval aviation \"never again\" forgot its lessons learned. TOPGUN: The Legacy provides a unique, detailed, and never-before-told history of the Navy Fighter Weapons School.
- Over 450 interviews with graduates, instructors, and commanding officers
- Thousands of pages of archival documents
- Covers the early history of air combat tactical development, the school's founding in 1968, and its progression throughout the decades to the present day.
TOPGUN's programs, significant events that shaped the school, and its unique culture have made it a center of excellence and the leading fighter weapons school worldwide.
Editions of TOPGUN: The Legacy
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780764362545
Read an Excerpt
The exclusive and definitive look at the 50-year history of the Navy Fighter Weapons School.
The history of air combat has seen one recurring theme—new tactics are learned in battle, forgotten or discarded when battle concludes, and relearned at great cost during the next war. This cycle continued into the 1960s, when America was drawn into the Vietnam War. Despite having a skill and equipment advantage, US Navy aircrews were faring poorly against North Vietnamese fighters. Air combat lessons learned during prior wars, and since forgotten or deemed inapplicable due to advances in technology, were once again relevant. TOPGUN, the Navy's Fighter Weapons School, was established in 1968 to teach Navy aircrews the core air combat tactics, to train others in those tactics, and to ensure that naval aviation \"never again\" forgot its lessons learned. TOPGUN: The Legacy provides a unique, detailed, and never-before-told history of the Navy Fighter Weapons School.
- Over 450 interviews with graduates, instructors, and commanding officers
- Thousands of pages of archival documents
- Covers the early history of air combat tactical development, the school's founding in 1968, and its progression throughout the decades to the present day.
TOPGUN's programs, significant events that shaped the school, and its unique culture have made it a center of excellence and the leading fighter weapons school worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TOPGUN: The Legacy about?
The exclusive and definitive look at the 50-year history of the Navy Fighter Weapons School.
The history of air combat has seen one recurring theme—new tactics are learned in battle, forgotten or discarded when battle concludes, and relearned at great cost during the next war. This cycle continued into the 1960s, when America was drawn into the Vietnam War. Despite having a skill and equipment advantage, US Navy aircrews were faring poorly against North Vietnamese fighters. Air combat lessons learned during prior wars, and since forgotten or deemed inapplicable due to advances in technology, were once again relevant. TOPGUN, the Navy's Fighter Weapons School, was established in 1968 to teach Navy aircrews the core air combat tactics, to train others in those tactics, and to ensure that naval aviation \"never again\" forgot its lessons learned. TOPGUN: The Legacy provides a unique, detailed, and never-before-told history of the Navy Fighter Weapons School.
- Over 450 interviews with graduates, instructors, and commanding officers
- Thousands of pages of archival documents
- Covers the early history of air combat tactical development, the school's founding in 1968, and its progression throughout the decades to the present day.
TOPGUN's programs, significant events that shaped the school, and its unique culture have made it a center of excellence and the leading fighter weapons school worldwide.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in TOPGUN: The Legacy?
Society and Social Sciences > Warfare and defence > Military forces and sectors > Air forces and warfare
Where can I read a sample of TOPGUN: The Legacy?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780764362545
Who is/are the Author/s of the book TOPGUN: The Legacy?
Schiffer Military History
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
TOPGUN: The Legacy is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780764362545)
Where can I buy TOPGUN: The Legacy online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy TOPGUN: The Legacy from below
Where can I buy TOPGUN: The Legacy?